Guild Wars Guru

"Live For Today" worth it?

1 pages • Page 1
K
Korain
Ascalonian Squire
• #1
Currently I am running a modded spear/focus build on my Mesmer. The spear is a +30hp spear with the e+5 inscrip, and the focus is just a green one from beating Factions. I intend to make one soon, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

My question is, as the title states, is "Live For Today" worth it? e+15 sounds wonderful, but energy regen -1 doesn't. Granted, it would only lower my energy regen down to 3, but I'm still not entirely sure if it's worth it.

When I make a focus, I will hopefully have a focus of fortitude, so that will be another 30 hitpoints, and focuses already give +12 energy if they're perfect.

Currently, with the green focus/spear I have, I have 580 hp, and 57 energy (I will double check this). So "Live For Today" would bump me up to 72 energy. That's a pretty dang good number for anyone not an Elementalist.

Is 72 total energy worth 3 energy regen?

Being a Mesmer, I am pretty much popping off spells non-stop in combat. So I suppose the heart of my question is:

Does the 3 energy regen really affect how many spells you can cast, in the typical span of combat (not dungeon bosses)? After all, you're always regenerating that energy, even while casting.

Thoughts?

EDIT: If this is in the wrong section, I apologize and please feel free to move it.
J
Jet
Academy Page
• #2
Well since this post is in the PvE section, I'm assuming your question is related to PvE. In PvE it really doesn't matter what you use. However, having +15/-1 is good and will help but your bar should have a mix of some skills that will balance your energy. You shouldn't be "popping spells" nonstop anyway. That's not how you play mesmer in either PvE or PvP.

If your referring to PvP, the +15/-1 is mandatory. Many mesmers actually play and switch from 40/40 to the set your referring to when they need extra energy to cast a spell. They will also swap to the wand with a +15 energy making -2 energy regen if they need some more energy. A word of advice, don't stay on the set your referring to all the time, eventually the 2 or 3 energy regen is going to work against you.

So in conclusion, its good to have that extra energy when you need to cast something important.
K
Korain
Ascalonian Squire
• #3
You are correct on popping off spells constantly. I threw that post together in a hurry.

Thank you for the input. I've been debating that inscrip, or just a +5e one for a focus I would more than likely have on all the time, so thank you for a bit of clarification.
C
Chthon
Grotto Attendant
• #4
+15/-1 mods are emphatically NOT for general-purpose use. Their only use is as a secondary weapon set (you should be able to enable up to 4 weapon sets on the character screen) that will enable you to cast one or two last spells right now even though you are completely out of energy. You do this as follows: Put your normal weapons on F1. Put a wand and focus, both with a +15/-1 mod, on F2. Play normally using your normal weapon. If you are out of energy and absolutely, positively need to cast something right now, then hit F2 to change sets (you will now have 30 energy), cast what you need to cast, then immediately hit F1 so that you don't spend significant time under the -2 energy drain. Take note that the game does keep track of energy below zero, so you will have to pay the full time cost to regain the energy you "borrowed" using the dual +15/-1 set.

Using a "high energy" set like this is really not something mesmers do very often, not even in PvP. It's much more common for monks and other healers. In PvE the most common users of a "high" set are healers, Mind Blast elementalists (to make sure MB triggers), and minion master necromancers (come up with 25e for Bone Fiend now, get it back through soul reaping a little later).
J
Jet
Academy Page
• #5
Chthon, you'd be surprised how many people are actually comfortable playing with a spear and a +15/-1 focus. Not having a high energy set on a caster role is plain dumb. With that extra energy to cast an important spell, it can help you win the match. If your concerned about your energy, work with your team through better tactics to restabilize your energy. Typical weapon sets are usually the following:

1. low energy set (energy-5, hp+30 or Armor+5) , mid Energy Set ( energy+5, hp+30 or Armor+5). Same Weapon Slot. Just change spear.
2. 40/40 Domination (or whatever attribute most of your skills come from)
3. High energy set (+15/-1 or +30/-2) Don't really care which one since there is always a debate about this.
4. 40/40 possibly for inspiration. Or 40/40 if your using your secondary profession. [U]This is your secondary weapon set

These weapon sets don't change much for all caster roles. Typical guild wars is to stack more health/armor and decrease casting time/recharge of spells.
A
Anaraky
Frost Gate Guardian
• #6
Doesn't really matter if people play comfortably with +15/-1, still doesn't change that it is subpar outside of niche use. A bigger energy pool is not energy-management in the long run. Basically it allows you to cast one extra spell before going out of energy at the start of combat, afterwards it is just a liability. Not worth it.
Zenzai
Zenzai
Lion's Arch Merchant
• #7
Personally, I've only been able to use 15/-1 without problems on my necro, but only because I had a high Soul Reaping. Other classes, it just makes it take longer to cast spells. "The flame that burns twice as hot burns for half as long".
C
Chthon
Grotto Attendant
• #8
Quote: Originally Posted by Jet View Post
Chthon, you'd be surprised how many people are actually comfortable playing with a spear and a +15/-1 focus. Not having a high energy set on a caster role is plain dumb. With that extra energy to cast an important spell, it can help you win the match. If your concerned about your energy, work with your team through better tactics to restabilize your energy. Typical weapon sets are usually the following:

1. low energy set (energy-5, hp+30 or Armor+5) , mid Energy Set ( energy+5, hp+30 or Armor+5). Same Weapon Slot. Just change spear.
2. 40/40 Domination (or whatever attribute most of your skills come from)
3. High energy set (+15/-1 or +30/-2) Don't really care which one since there is always a debate about this.
4. 40/40 possibly for inspiration. Or 40/40 if your using your secondary profession. [U]This is your secondary weapon set

These weapon sets don't change much for all caster roles. Typical guild wars is to stack more health/armor and decrease casting time/recharge of spells. 1. I'm trying to figure out if you're an idiot, or just have trouble writing a clear post. At first, it sure sounds like you advocate using a +15/-1 mod in your main weapon set -- which is just flat out idiotic. Then you turn around and list 4 sets, where the +15/-1 is confined to the alternate "high set" like it should be. In short, I'm confused as to what you mean. Care to clarify?

2. Since you already clarified that this is a PvE-related question, why list PvP-oriented sets? There's no point in a low set outside of PvP. I don't think I've ever seen anyone use a second 20/20 set in PvE. You're missing a junk longbow, which should be standard issue for all PvE characters.
J
Jeydra
Forge Runner
• #9
Quote: Originally Posted by Chthon View Post
Using a "high energy" set like this is really not something mesmers do very often, not even in PvP. It's much more common for monks and other healers. In PvE the most common users of a "high" set are healers, Mind Blast elementalists (to make sure MB triggers), and minion master necromancers (come up with 25e for Bone Fiend now, get it back through soul reaping a little later). And Assassin's Promise users seeking to finish off a monster before AP expires ...
Lukyboy
Lukyboy
Elite Guru
• #10
Short answer: not worth it imo

Long answer: If you're running a good build with good energy management and you dont cast everything on recharge the entire time, you simply wont need the extra 15.

Ask yourself this: are you running out of energy with the set you currently have? if no, then why would you need even more energy? you're not using it anyway.

if yes, then the 15 extra energy will mean that will run out of energy 2-3 spells later then you do now. It'll take you a longer time to regain all your energy aswell because you have less pips of regen and more energy to actually regain.

The only time where it will be worth it is like Chthon said, when you need to cast a spell right on that moment, but you dont have the energy. In PvE those situations will not occur often, if at all
R
Riot Narita
Desert Nomad
• #11
I use them in farming builds only. I use "Live for Today" (and "Seize the Day") on weapon sets for specific farms - where I need only enough energy to cast a specific sequence of skills, once per farming run. I wouldn't use them for anything else.